US to Relax its Hold on the Internet, Plans to Leave Oversight of ICANN

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The US commerce department is to relax its somewhat firm hold on the Internet. Actually US is planning to leave oversight of ICANN. This came after severe criticism from the international community over the NSA’s clandestine activities.

It is a decision that has been welcomed by the rest of the world. But with the United States turning over a new leaf towards greater tolerance, many local Yankee businesses are getting apprehensive.

The Obama government has finally caved in and given up administration of the Net names and domains. And the international comity of nations has heaved a sigh of relief. The Commerce Department was relieved of its control over ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers).

In particular, the NSA and other spying agencies lent a helping hand in the conception of this new move. The USA had faced a great many complaints from other nations which were dead against any surveillance activities. However, some business concerns are worried over the possibility of censorship that will arise as a natural consequence.

“The timing is right to start the transition process,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Lawrence E. Strickling in a press release. “We look forward to ICANN convening stakeholders across the global Internet community to craft an appropriate transition plan.”

Edward Snowden’s revelations obviously led to this choice that was reluctantly taken by the United States. The NSA in a way was responsible for taking matters too far. And a backlash seemed to have taken hold.

This relaxation of rules will be the only way out of the ruined image that has been cast in everyone’s mind about the USA. Mark Zuckerberg’s recent rant on his Facebook home page as well as his phone call to President Obama served as a midwife to this Internet imperative.

In other words, the pressure simply reached critical mass. And after that things changed. However, this does not mean that the Internet will be changing in a radical way. Rome after all was not built in a day. The changes will come but slowly and silently.

While terrorism still needs to be countered, it will not be tackled by spying on innocent citizens of Third World countries anymore. And the global multi-stakeholder community will take over the baton of stewardship from America.